"The primary purpose of this informative presentation is to give the citizens of Brown County an overview of an exciting new redevelopment project being planned for the old Ski World property by local architect Burt Perdue," reads a brief press release from the Brown County Commissioners. "The presentation will focus on the vision for the new community and the beneficial impact it will have on the local community, county and region. Please plan to attend if you have an interest in the evolution and current status of this project."

Plans for the property have been evolving since the ski resort there closed at the end of 2003. Former owner Phyllis Riskey operated the 180-acre Ski World for 17 years, but it never turned a profit. It was put up for sale that year for $3 million.

Perdue has been working on a concept for the site called Schooner Valley Village since 2008. The current vision, he explained Friday, includes a "sustainable live-work-play community" with row houses and high-end family housing, parks, a bank, churches, restaurants, shopping, an outdoor amphitheater, assisted living center, community gardens, and a hotel and conference center. The arts and crafts school and affordable housing development envisioned in an earlier plan have since been cut.

Riskey, on a recent visit to the Brown County Democrat office, mentioned the possibility of a synthetic snow resort being developed at the site.

Perdue confirmed Friday that that is included in the current plan, as well as other "adventure park" opportunties he intends to reveal at the May 22 meeting.

He estimates the total investment in the community at more than $250 million.